I stared at her, unsure where this conversation was going.
"Then… do you believe me that I'm a girl? Without any… verification?"
"Verification? How would I even verify that?" I asked, my mood souring.
"It's best if you just believe me… but if not, I'll let you… touch… my newly grown breasts."
It was like she was talking about newborn puppies or kittens. Showing off to the world for praise: "So cute!"
How clueless can someone be? Did she not realize that saying that in front of the opposite sex is basically a disaster waiting to happen?
"Huh? You think growing breasts is something amazing?"
"Yeah…" she admitted, completely unabashed.
I made a disgusted face. She quickly lowered her head. "I'm sorry! I'll reflect on it! I bullied you all those years like a devil, and now I'm talking nonsense without any shame… You must hate me!"
No, if we're talking about feelings, it's not hate—it's pure, burning hatred. And now… she's a girl. My entire motivation for revenge is gone. All my training, my schemes, my painstaking preparation—what was it for?
Frustration and emptiness flooded me.
"Fine. I'll consider our score settled as long as you return my Optimus Prime. The big red truck robot."
Her face froze. Don't tell me she thinks that's not enough?
"Can I have a little more time?" she pleaded, looking pitiful.
"I actually have a lot I want to say… Don't worry, I've kept all the toys I took from you safe. If you listen carefully, I'll give all of them back!"
Relief washed over me. My brother-Optimus Prime was safe. I nodded, thinking she would return everything.
She beamed like a criminal spared from the death penalty, tears of joy forming at the corners of her eyes.
"Thank you! I'm so sorry… I was so happy when I got your letter I couldn't sleep…"
There were dark circles under her eyes.
"Happy? Shouldn't you be scared? Aren't you worried I'll pummel you until your face swells beyond recognition?"
"No… the Haruya I know wouldn't do that. But… if it happens, I'll close my eyes and take the punishment to atone for my sins."
What? Close her eyes while I hit her? Is this the epic showdown I've imagined countless times? Why does it feel so… sad? Why do I suddenly want to cry?
"I know saying sorry isn't enough… Back then, I was strong and tall because of my genes. I wasn't a girl at all. I wasn't welcome among girls, so I pretended to be a boy to play with the guys… I used my physique to bully a lot of people—especially you… so I'm sorry, I'm really sorry!"
Her apology felt sincere.
"It's fine. You don't need to apologize anymore. Once you return my toys, it's settled. I don't have to forgive you."
"No, you have to forgive me!" Her voice was firm.
"Why?"
"It's… an important request. If you don't agree, my sickness will never be cured!"
"Sickness? What do you mean?" I asked, surprised that I actually cared.
"Um… You know I didn't have any typical girl traits because I spent so long as a boy. For a while, I even questioned my gender… I considered living the rest of my life as a boy. I had so much fun playing with you guys back then… Since the boys played perverted games like 'monkey grabbing peaches'… I had to stuff socks in my underwear to avoid… exposure… But in the end, the breasts I thought would never grow… finally appeared."
"Stop talking about underwear and breasts! I'm already embarrassed for you! Just tell me what your sickness is!"
"Okay… After my breasts grew, I started doubting my gender seriously. I couldn't face anyone. I understood boys perfectly… but as a girl, I suddenly had no idea how to interact with boys my age. The doctor said that if this continues, I might develop gender identity disorder…"
"Where did you find this quack doctor!? You've had gender identity disorder ever since you stole my candied skewers when we were six!"
So it was just gender identity disorder? I thought it was a terminal illness! Why should I even worry?
"But… the doctor said that if it's not treated, I won't accept my real gender later, and I might end up marrying a girl…"
"What kind of doctor is that!? Same-sex marriage isn't even allowed! Don't make ridiculous predictions!"
"Well… to avoid breaking the law, I decided to treat my sickness proactively."
"Treat it? How?"
"My… main symptom is that I'm afraid of boys my age. Except one person…"
Me? She isn't afraid because she used to stomp on me?
"But we haven't seen each other in a while. I thought you'd forgotten me… until I got a letter from you yesterday…"
"I was really… really happy."
Without warning, she rushed at me, her face full of courage. I flinched, expecting a punch to the eyes, and raised my arms. Instead, she hugged my waist.
My back hit the thick banyan tree.
"What… are you doing?" I asked.
Her face was beet-red.
"Haruya… please be my boyfriend!"
"This is my lifelong wish!"
She stared at me, wide-eyed and trembling, waiting for my reply.
I wanted to die from grief. I tried to pull away, but her grip was iron-strong.
"Stop joking! I don't even know your real name!"
"I'm Renko! Now you know! Please answer me! I won't let go until you do!"
She buried her face in my chest, holding me even tighter.
"Don't tease me! You bullied me because you liked me?"
"Yes! I'm a bad girl who bullies the boy I like! Please, answer me!"
What the hell is this!? I imagined a climactic battle that would shake the heavens—and it's turned into a full-blown soap opera.
"Let go! Someone could see us!"
"I don't care! I've used up all my courage just to say this!"
Renko's body shook violently in my arms. She looked terrified, like a small, crying rabbit begging for protection. I almost gave in immediately. It's instinct—we can't resist a girl's tears.
I opened my mouth to say, "I could be your boyfriend…"
But then I remembered everything: the humiliation, the river-dunking, the chair-snatching, the stolen Optimus Prime…
I changed my words.
"Being your boyfriend—impossible."
"Wh-why?" she whispered, despair in her eyes.
"No reason. I just don't like you." I emphasized disgust to make her give up.
Her trembling stopped. She slid from my arms, slow and lifeless. Her eyes were empty, like she'd been sentenced to death.
I almost relented, but steadied myself and glared.
"I've worked hard for this day…" she murmured, dazed. "I avoided fighting, stayed home for three years, studied thousands of shoujo manga to learn how to be a girl…"
Hey, your research direction is wrong! That's like a leftover woman studying K-dramas all day! You'd be better off walking the streets!
"Why… why do you still dislike me? I'd do anything to be liked…"
"Hit me, kick me, spit on me… do everything I did to you!"
No! That's too awkward! Let me go!
Renko's shoulders shook harder and harder until she finally spun and ran, wailing.
"Sure enough… it's because I'm not a real girl!"
She disappeared into the fog, crying all the way home.
I watched her go, unable to explain the strange, heavy feeling in my chest.
It turns out my old nemesis wasn't Ren Woxing at all. A girl named Renko—my former Little Tyrant—had just been hurt by my rejection. She might even dream of tears tonight.
Why do I feel so guilty?
And yet… she's still the Little Tyrant. The villain who tormented me, haunted my nightmares…
Will I ever see her again?